Hair dryer heat shielding device

ABSTRACT

A hair dryer heat shielding device  10  is provided. The device  10  includes a first planar member  14  having first and second diagonally descending members  22  and  24  coupled thereto. A second planar member  34  and third and fourth diagonally descending members  42  and  44  reinforces lower portions of the first planar member  14  and first and second diagonally extending members  22  and  24 . A third planar member  52  is coupled to uppermost portions of the first planar member  14  to provide a protective shield for the planar member. A coupling member  56  is provided to couple the device  10  in a predetermined position around a user&#39;s  68  head  70  so that the user&#39;s face  72  is shielded from heat generated by a dryer.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to hair dryer heat shielding devices and more particularly to a device to be used to protect sensitive parts of the face from being burned from heat generated by a hair dryer while in use.

As we all know, the type of hair dryers which covers a user's head is a popular device frequently used to dry hair. However, the heat generated during the process can become uncomfortable and unpleasant. The discomfort for a user normally occurs to the face of the user frequently affecting the forehead, the eyes and nose. When this does occur one is hardly ever prepared. As a result the user most times has to bear the discomfort until the drying process is completed. Frequently this discomfort has a lasting effect and may last for some time after the process is completed.

The elimination of this uncomfortable experience is a necessity. Accordingly it is desirable to provide a simple inexpensive and easily assessable device for preventing this uncomfortable and unpleasant experience.

BACKGROUND

There are a number of hair dryer shielding devices today. One device is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,954. The device of this invention is designed to simultaneously protect the skin areas of the forehead, temples, ears and neck from the irritation of burns that can occur from overexposure to the high temperature of heat generated by hair styling devices. The device is constructed of a single piece of flexible material, and includes detachable ear protectors which can withstand momentary contact with heated hairstyling devices. The shield includes a forehead protector and temple protector with the temple protector extending from the edge of the hairline in the area of the forehead down the left and right sides to cover the ear protectors and hold them securely in place. The temple protectors extend to left neck and right neck protectors and fasten together to complete a closed loop configuration around the wearer's head.

Although this invention provides an apparatus to cover some areas of the head it does not protect the entire forehead nor the eyes and nose of a user form heat generated by a hair styling device. Additionally, because the apparatus has multiple parts it is not the simple inexpensive and easily assessable device that is needed and desired.

Another apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,070. The device of this invention is a protective head covering. This device includes two bands of material each extending from opposite sides of a central band. The central band includes a top rounded edge for being positioned beneath the hairline on the back of the head for substantially abutting against the back of the neck and a flap portion that extends down the back of the neck as well. The side bands each cover the ears and are connected at loose ends over the forehead by fasteners. The device can protect the neck, the ears and the forehead from burns and scorching that can occur when using a hot curler or hot comb.

This device is not designed for a hair dryer but hot curlers and combs. Additionally it does not shield the face of the user but primarily the back of a user's neck. Still further because of its multiple parts it is not the simple, inexpensive and easily accessible device that is desired.

In view of the devices that are available it is apparent that a simple, inexpensive and easily assessable shielding device is needed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A device for shielding the face from heat generated by a hair dryer is provided. The device includes a first rectangularly shaped planar member having a first front member and first and second side members coupled to the front member. A first diagonally descending member is coupled to extend from an intermediate portion of the first side member to an intermediate portion of the first front member. A second diagonally descending member is coupled to extend from an intermediate portion of the second side member into coupling engagement with the intermediate portion of the first front member. A second rectangularly shaped planar member is provided to support predetermined lower portions of the first planar member. The second planar member includes a second front member coupled adjacent to lower inside portions of the first front member and third and fourth side members coupled to lower inside portions of the first and second side members of the first planar member. A third rectangularly shaped planar member is provided which extends along inside uppermost portions of the first planar member into couplingly engagement therewith. A coupling means is provided to couple the first planar member in a closed loop configuration so that the device is couplable in a predetermined position around the head of a user to shield the user's face from heat generated by a dryer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The details of the invention will be described in connection with accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hair dryer heat shielding device in accordance with the principles of the invention

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a hair dryer heat shielding device in accordance with the principles of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a hair dryer heat shielding device in accordance with the principles of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a hair dryer heat shielding device coupled around the head of a user in accordance with the principles of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a hair dryer heat shielding device coupled around the head of a user in accordance with the principles of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a hair dryer heat shielding device coupled around the head of a user in accordance with the principles of the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 a hair dryer heat shielding device generally designated by the numeral 10 is provided. The heat shielding device 10 is provided to protect the face of the user from the heat generated by a hair dryer (not shown). The heat shielding device 10 includes a first rectangularly shaped planar member, generally designated by the numeral, 14. The planar member 14 includes a front member, generally designated, by the numeral, 16 and first and second side walls, generally designated, by the numerals 18 and 20 respectively.

The heat shielding device 10 is also formed having diagonally descending walls, generally designated by, the numerals 22 and 24, respectively, which are coupled to the planar member 14. The diagonally descending wall 22 is coupled to extend from an intermediate portion 26 of the side wall 18 of the first planar member 14 to an intermediate portion 28 of the front member 16. The other diagonally descending wall 24 is coupled to extend from an intermediate portion 30 of the second side wall 20 of the first planar member 14 into couplingly engagement with the diagonally descending wall 22 at the intermediate front portion 28 of the front member 16 of the first planar member.

A second rectangularly shaped planar member, generally designated, by the numeral 34 is aligned with and coupled to predetermined lower portions of the first planar member 14. The second planar member is provided with a second front member, generally designated, by the numeral 36 and third and fourth side walls, generally designated, by the numerals 38 and 40.

The heat shielding device 10 is also formed having diagonally descending walls, generally designated, by the numerals 42 and 44 respectively. The diagonally descending wall 42 is aligned adjacent to the diagonally descending wall 22 and is coupled to extend from an intermediate portion 46 of the third side wall 38 of the second planar member 34 to an intermediate portion 48 of the second front member 36. Similarly the diagonally descending wall 44 is aligned adjacent to the diagonally descending wall 24 and is coupled to extend from an intermediate portion 50 of the fourth side wall 40 of the second planar member 34 into coupling engagement with the diagonally descending wall 42 at the front portion 48 of the second front member 36 of the planar member. The second planar member 34 has a predetermined width smaller than that of the first planar member 14. Similarly the diagonally descending walls 42 and 44 have a predetermined smaller width than that of the diagonally descending walls 22 and 24. The second planar member 34 and the diagonally descending walls 42 and 44 are provided to support and reinforce predetermined lower portions of the first planar member and the diagonally descending walls 22 and 24 so that they can be held in a predetermined position above the face of the user.

The heat shielding device 10 further includes a third rectangularly shaped planar member, generally designated, by the numeral, 52. The third planar member 52 is coupled to extend along inside upper portions 54 of the first planar member 14. The third planar member 52 is an inner band having a width smaller than that of the first planar member which is provided to protect upper portions of the first planar member from the build up of makeup and other bodily fluids transmitted from a user.

Still further, the hair dryer heat shielding device 10 is provided with a coupling member, generally designated, by the numeral, 56 which includes a pair of spaced couplers 58 and 60. The couplers 58 and 60 are coupled to ends 62 and 64, respectively, of the first planar member 14. Each of the couplers 58, and 60 may a coupling device, such as, for example, Velcro or some other adhesive which will facilitate coupling.

When it is desired to use the hair dryer heat shielding device 10 the device is positioned on a person, generally designated, by the numeral 68, around the head, generally designated, by the numeral, 70 of the person as is illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. As is shown the device 10 is positioned to shield the face, generally designated, by the numeral, 72 of the person 68 by coupling the device around the person's head 70 so that the forehead 74, the eyes 76 and the nose 78 are shielded. When the device 10 is positioned in this manner, the face 72 of the person is protected from the heat.

The hair dryer heat shielding device of this invention may be made, for example, of one hundred percent cotton material such as for example a terry cloth or some other similar durable material. Of course all the material used is lightweight and flexible. This allows the device 10 to be easy to use as well as inexpensive.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims. 

1. A hair dryer heat shielding device for protecting a user's face from heat generated by a hair dryer including: a first rectangularly shaped planar member having a first front member and first and second side members; a first diagonally descending member coupled to extend from an intermediate portion of the first side member to an intermediate front portion of the first front member of the first planar member; a second diagonally descending member coupled to extend from an intermediate portion of the second side member to the intermediate front portion of the first front member of the first planar member; a second rectangularly shaped planar member having a second front member and third and fourth side members coupled to lower inside portions of the first planar member; a third diagonally descending member coupled adjacent to inside portions of the first diagonally descending member; a fourth diagonally descending member coupled adjacent to inside portions of the second diagonally descending member; a third rectangularly shaped planar member aligned to extend along inside portions of the first planar member into couplingly engagement with uppermost portions thereof; and a coupling means for coupling one end of the first planar member to the other end thereof so that the shielding device is couplable around the user's head to shield the face of the user from the heat generated by the hair dryer.
 2. A hair dryer heat shielding device as defined in claim 1 wherein the third diagonally descending member includes portions which are aligned with and coupled adjacent to the first diagonally descending member to extend from intermediate inside portions of the third inside member to intermediate inside portions of the second front member of the second planar member.
 3. A hair dryer heat shielding device as defined in claim 2 wherein the fourth diagonally descending member includes portions which are aligned with and coupled adjacent to the second diagonally descending member to extend from intermediate inside portions of the fourth side member to the intermediate inside portions of the second front member of the second planar member.
 4. A hair dryer heat shielding device as defined in claim 3 wherein the coupling means includes: a first coupling member coupled to one end of the first planar member; and a second coupling member coupled to the other end of the first planar member so that the first planar member can be coupled at each end thereby allowing the shielding device to be couplable around the head of the user.
 5. A hair dryer heat shielding device as defined in claim 4 wherein the first and second coupling members are Velcro.
 6. A hair dryer heat shielding device as defined in claim 5 wherein the second planar member supports and reinforces predetermined lower portions of the first planar member.
 7. A hair dryer heat shielding device as defined in claim 6 wherein the third diagonally descending member supports and reinforces the first diagonally descending member and the fourth diagonally descending member supports and reinforces the second diagonally descending member.
 8. A hair dryer heat shielding device as defined in claim 7 wherein the second planar member has a predetermined width smaller than that of the first planar member.
 9. A hair dryer heat shielding device as defined in claim 8 wherein the third diagonally descending member has a predetermined width smaller than that of the first diagonally descending member and the fourth diagonally descending member has a predetermined width smaller than that of the second diagonally descending member.
 10. A hair dryer heat shielding device as defined in claim 9 wherein the third planar member provides a protective shield for the first planar member.
 11. A hair dryer heat shielding device as defined in claim 10 wherein the third planar member has a predetermined width smaller than that of the first planar member.
 12. A hair dryer heat shielding device as defined in claim 11 wherein the first, second and third planar members are made of cotton.
 13. A hair dryer heat shielding device as defined in claim 12 wherein the first, second, third and fourth diagonally descending members are made of cotton. 